"Yes, very ill, and he cannot be seen."
"Has not a physician been sent for?"
"No; the Malay would not allow it."
"And was it the Malay who wrote this for thee?"
"Yes, it was he."
Fabio was silent for a space.
"Very well, take the necessary measures," he said at last.
Antonio withdrew.
Fabio stared after his servant in perplexity.—"So he was not killed?"—he thought … and he did not know whether to rejoice or to grieve.—"He is ill?"—But a few hours ago he had beheld him a corpse!
Fabio returned to Valeria. She was awake, and raised her head. The husband and wife exchanged a long, significant look.